Route 22 Artist Collective, in conjunction with Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation and Cochrane Discovery Days, is set to host five days of plein air art engagement as its annual autumn "Art in the Park" event kicks off on Aug. 26 at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
“It's our second 'Art in the Park' festival of the season,” explains Lara Kruger, executive director of the Route 22 Artist Collective. “So this is the fourth year that we've been doing a circuit of festivals. Well, we're actually the lead organization collaborating with nine other arts organizations around the province to just boost arts and culture throughout the whole region.”
This year’s festival will be held in coordination with Cochrane Discovery Days. Kruger says it's a win-win for everybody involved.
“We're partnering with them to really just kind of build the whole vibe of the festival throughout Cochrane,” she says. “I think it's just a great synergy kind of event happening that really builds on the Discovery Days, which is building on the Cochrane Lions Rodeo and the Labour Day parade. And just recognizing the weekend can become an even bigger community-wide event that draws tourism, and also really just boosts the opportunities for everybody to connect with arts and culture in the whole community.”
Plein Air is the tradition of painting outside in nature, explains Kruger, and “Art in the Park” is an event open to anyone who wants to take part. Registration for Route 22 members is $30 and non-members is $40.
“Anyone can come and paint alongside the registered artists,” Kruger states. “Obviously, if you want to come and paint, we encourage you to register as an artist just because you do then get more connected to the community of registered artists and get the perks that come along with that. But it's open to anyone of any ability.”
Kruger said the fall “Art in the Park” festival serves as a year-end event for Route 22 Artist Collective, and thus on the final night of the festival there will be a special soiree to celebrate the achievements of the year and display the various works created during “Art in the Park.”
The Wet Paint Sale & Soirée will take place on Saturday, August 30 between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m at the Route 22 Artist Collective Gallery at 208 1st Street W. in Cochrane.
“There'll be food and drinks and a bar open, and you can mix and mingle with all the artists that have been participating,” says Kruger. “We'll have some live music, and there'll be the Discovery Days events happening all around downtown at the same time. So there's lots to take in and lots to enjoy.”
Kruger also highlights unique workshop opportunities being offered as part of “Art in the Park” for those wishing to take their art to another level. World-renowned nature artist Dwayne Harty is hosting three days of workshops between Aug. 26 and Aug. 28 entitled “Art of the Wild: A Dwayne Harty Master Class.” For registration information and cost visit www.eventbrite.com.
A beginner class called “Learn Landscape Painting with Stephen Purdy” is also being hosted on Aug. 29. See www.eventbrite.com for more details.
"Art in the Park," listed as a Come Paint Alberta official event, takes place between Aug. 26 and Aug. 30.
